Two basic types of garlic:

Stiffneck: varieties grow one ring of cloves around a stem, there is not a layer of cloves as there are in softneck varieties. They are extremely cold hardy, but do not store as well or long as other varieties. Flavor is more mild than softnecks. Recommended variety: ‘Carpathian’.

Planting, Harvesting & Storing Garlic

Plant your cloves in well drained, organic soil with the pointy side up. The cloves should be about 4 inches apart & 2 inches deep. Fertilize to ensure enough nitrogen. Use my three secrets to feed your cloves organically throughout their growth.

Harvest your home grown garlic when the tops are yellow & fall over.

Gently pry the bulbs out with a spade and dry. Hanging the bulbs upside down is a good drying method.

Two weeks of drying with good circulation should do it. The bulbs are properly cured when the casings are papery, the roots dry & the cloves break apart easily.

Store your cured garlic bulbs in a dry spot at about 40 degrees. Do not store in the refrigerator!

Grown, harvested & cured well, your garlic bulbs can be stored for about six months.

The drier the more intense the flavor, so just like us, garlic improves with age under the right conditions.

Kelly,
Love your cute and clever photos! We are a family of garlic lovers, and I use garlic in quite a few dishes.
Thought your idea of drying garlic was cute. will have to look for a little basket like that.
Take Care!
Ann